authoritarian leadership
/ˌɔːθɔːrɪˈtɛriən ˈliːdəʃɪp/ · au·thor·i·ta·ri·an lead·er·ship
noun
- A style of leadership in which a single individual or a small group exercises absolute control, expects unquestioned obedience, and limits subordinate autonomy. The company's authoritarian leadership discouraged any dissent, requiring employees to follow directives without question.
- The practice of governing or managing an organization through coercive, top‑down directives rather than collaborative decision‑making. Political analysts warned that the nation's shift toward authoritarian leadership could erode civil liberties.
Synonyms
autocratic leadershipdictatorial leadershipcentralized leadershiphierarchical leadershiptop‑down leadershipcoercive leadershipcommand leadershipstrong‑handed leadership
Antonyms
Did you know? The term gained prominence after the 1970s corporate studies of Douglas McGregor, who contrasted authoritarian (Theory X) and participative (Theory Y) leadership styles.